SloWays • via Romea Germanica Forlì-Chiusi della Verna

We start from Forlì: a university city, a linguistic hub of the Romagnolo dialect, and a part of the Ostrogothic kingdom.

We arrive at Chiusi della Verna, in the heart of the Casentino Forest National Park, where Saint Francis received the stigmata. In between, the Via Romea Germanica runs between Romagna and Tuscany - it enters the Valley of the Wind, it offers wonderful views of the Tuscan-Romagnolo Apennines, immerses itself in the forests, and runs along the rivers; a beautiful journey along one of Italy's oldest roads.

Route

Day 1: Arrive in Forlì

Day 2: From Forlì to Civitella di Romagna, 14 km

Day 3: From Civitella di Romagna to Santa Sofia, 14 km

Day 4: From Santa Sofia to San Piero in Bagno, 21 km

Day 5: Transfer to Gualchiere and walk to Agriturismo Le Gualanciole, 14 km

Day 6: From Agriturismo Le Gualanciole to Chiusi della Verna, 10 km

Day 7: Goodbye Chiusi della Verna

Day 1: Arrive in Forlì

Individual arrival in Forlì, “Forum Livii” in Latin is one of the Roman market towns along the Via Emilia from Rimini to Piacenza. Forlì is also the linguistic centre of the Romagnolo dialect. The city's most distinguished building is the 12th century church of San Mercuriale, built on the site of the Basilica/Cathedral of Santo Stefano. The Lombard-style bell tower is the work of Francesco Deddi, who started it in 1178, but it was remodelled in later periods. Inside the church are numerous monumental and pictorial works of art, including paintings by Palmezzano. Other points of interest in the city are P.za Saffi, Corso Diaz, Corso Garibaldi, via Maroncelli, P.za Ordelaffi with the Duomo and the Palazzo della Prefettura.

Day 2: From Forlì to Civitella di Romagna, 14 km

From Forlì a short private transfer will take you to the start of the walk in Valle del Vento valley. The route runs through the typical landscape of Romagna all around hills and woods along the valley of the Bidente river, which increasingly disappears into the depths of its natural banks. A route mainly on dirt tracks or cart tracks that takes us to Ceruscoli. The history of the hamlet depends on that of the castle that dominates it. It was built on the site of a late Roman settlement. It is precisely the characteristic rocky spur on which the village stands, barring the Bidente valley and forcing the river to deviate from its course, that gave rise to a legend, which attributes the creation of the massive spur to the work of the mythical Hercules. Hence, according to some sources, the term Clusum or Clausum Herculis.

Distance: 14 km

Elevation gain: +440/-625 m

Day 3: From Civitella di Romagna to Santa Sofia, 14 km

Civitella di Romagna originally, the settlement was enclosed within the city walls, under the rule of the Abbey of Sant'Ellero di Galeata. After being disputed by various lordships, Civitella became part of the Papal State and marked the border with the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. All around hills and forests along the valley of the Bidente river, formerly Ronco, which increasingly disappears into the depths of its natural banks.

Distance: 14 km

Elevation gain: +700/-690 m

Day 4: From Santa Sofia to San Piero in Bagno, 21 km

Seen from the top of the hills bordering the high valley where it lies, the town of Santa Sofia appears to us like a miniaturised copy of Florence with its grey stone riverside and its Tuscan-style buildings reflected in the waters of the Bidente river that flows through it. Santa Sofia is also home to the Parco delle Foreste Casentinesi, a park that certainly deserves a stop and a careful visit for its vegetative, faunal, and geological peculiarities and for the artificial reservoir of the Ridracoli Dam. With today’s route we leave the Bidente Valley to arrive in the Savio River Valley, passing through the villages of Raggio, La Nocina, Sant'Uberto, Gamberini, Passo del Carnaio, Monte Salvetti, Paganico, Corzano, San Piero in Bagno and finally Bagno di Romagna by bus.

Distance: 21 km

Elevation gain: +860/-650 m

Day 5: Transfer to Gualchiere and walk to Agriturismo Le Gualanciole, 14 km

In the morning a short private transfer will take you to the start of the walk in Gualchiere. It has been a documented settlement since at least the 16th century and inhabited ever since. The recently restored hamlet includes dwellings and a farmhouse that preserves machinery from the old mill where wool supplied by local shepherds was mainly processed. We cross the hamlet and begin the route on the path, first graveled, then ballasted. After the bridge over the Fosso del Capanno, we pass in front of the recently restored Maestà Balassini and follow the ancient track that climbs towards the Nasseto plateau, one of the steepest and most strenuous sections of the stage: this is a mule track, the only link between Romagna and Tuscany until the 19th century; in places the ancient paving is visible, but mostly the marly rock on which it was traced emerges.

Distance: 14 km

Elevation gain: +980/-850 m

Day 6: From Agriturismo Le Gualanciole to Chiusi della Verna, 10 km

Today you finally arrive in Chiusi della Verna. Head for the hotel and check in. If you arrive early enough, you can visit the Franciscan Sanctuary in the afternoon. The Sanctuary is opened every day of the year from 06:30 to 19:30 hrs (22:00 hrs in summer) NOTE: To enter the Sanctuary, you need to cover your chest and arms and wear trousers / skirts long to the knee

Distance: 10 km

Elevation gain: +330/-415 m

Day 7: Goodbye Chiusi della Verna

Tour ends after breakfast.

accommodation

Corte Livia-Room & Breakfast

A structure of great charm, suspended between past and present. The luxury hotel solution par excellence for staying in Forli. Suitable for business and leisure travel or as a location for events. An oasis of relaxation in the city's historic center

www.cortelivia.it/en/welcome-2/

Civitella di Romagna: Agriturismo Campo Rosso

Campo Rosso is an Organic Farm, Educational Farm and Agritourism is a fantastic experience that allows you to rediscover yourself thanks to a wonderful setting surrounded by nature. Activities, flavors, traditions and typical Romagna dishes will cheer the guests in the best possible way.

http://www.agriturismocamporosso.com

Santa Sofia: B&B il vecchio comune

Our Guest House is located in the heart of Santa Sofia, at the gateway to the Casentino Forests National Park and the ancient beech forests now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In a secluded but central location, the Old Town awaits your arrival.

vecchiocomune.it

San Piero in Bagno: Albergo Bologna

Hotel Ristorante Bologna is located in the center of town and has 14 comfortable rooms all equipped with color TV, telephone and ventilated area, bathroom with shower. It is located in a quiet and strategic area, just 2 km from the thermal pools of Bagno di Romagna and has agreements with the thermal establishments.

www.hotelristorantebologna.it

Agritusimo le Gualanciole

Agriturismo Le Gualanciole is located in Tuscany, between Casentino and Valtiberina. it is nestled in the Alta Valle del Tevere Monte Nero nature reserve, surrounded by nature.

Chiusi della Verna-Hotel Letizia

The hotel restaurant "Letizia" has been offering hospitality since 1952 to families, pilgrims, tourists and hikers. It is located in the center of the town of Chiusi della Verna,the childhood village of Michelangelo Buonarroti and gateway to the trails and wonders of the Casentino Forest National Park, just 3 km from the famous Sanctuary of St. Francis on Mount della Verna."

www.albergo-letizia.it/

practical info

You can find more information in the "accommodation" section: we always select your accommodation for their character and comfort. You will always be booked in a private, en-suite room, with breakfast included.

Luggage transfer (max. 20 kg) from one hotel to the hotel is included in the price.

Reach Forlì station by trains from Bologna and Rimini
From Chiusi della Verna take the local bus to the Bibbiena/Arezzo train station. From there a local train will take you to Pisa, Florence or Rome.

Thanks to our special APP, you will be able to follow the track of the whole trip on your mobile phone, with no need for internet. GPS tracks are available on request.

Included

What is included

6 Nights in double room in **/*** hotels , B&B and agriturismi with breakfast
luggage transportation from hotel to hotel
maps and detailed description of the itinerary
Pilgrim Passport
Medical and luggage travel insurance
24h phone assistance

What is not included

Transfers to the starting location and from the arriving location of the tour
lunches and dinners, if not otherwise stated
visits and entrance fees - tips
personal expense
possible sojourn taxes
everything that is not mentioned in the "What is included" section.

Optional Services

These services can be added to the ones included in the base price of the tour:

Single room supplement
cancellation insurance
Transfers to reach the starting location or to leave the arriving location of the tour, which will be quoted on request.

Is this trip for me?

A journey on the Via Romea Germanica, an ancient route followed by pilgrims from Northern Europe: this particular section touches Forlì, a linguistic center of the Romagnol dialect, before continuing through the Casentino Forests, a National Park, and reaching Chiusi, famous for the beautiful Sanctuary of La Verna.

It's an alternative route to the Via Francigena, not particularly strenuous - however, good fitness and the habit of covering several kilometers on consecutive days are still required. Distances are always under 15 km, except for day 4 when you exceed 20 km.